A. I don't know if
that ever really happened. I have always wanted to have the ability to
write, but it took me awhile to feel comfortable using writing as a form
of communication. I have much more experience using visual art- -
drawings, sculpture, and comics - - to make my ideas understood.
For some reason, it took me much longer to feel as though I was
qualified to write. When that happened, I began to write.

Q. What are some of
the sacrifices that you made to get were you are at?

A. Giving up a
sense of belonging somewhere. For years, I had no real place to live; I
just traveled between Japan, Virginia, Maryland and Vermont. My time in
Japan was very educational, but it was very hard. I was homesick almost
all the time, and the work was very difficult. Overall, I would say I
have spent a great deal of energy coming to terms with the fact that
there is just a certain level of loneliness and uncertainty that comes
with this territory. But, I look at this as an investment, not a
sacrifice. And I'm very happy now.

Q. Where do you see
yourself in five years?

I would like to feel
more much more relaxed and optimistic in five years. I would like to
feel a less urgent need to capture and record my thoughts and
impressions in hopes that they will provide some clue that will help
make the world a better place. I hope that in five years, I will have completely discarded the notion
that time is running out on me, on the world.

Q. Where do you see
the future of online publishing?

I look forward to
seeing artists and writers take lots of interesting new risks with words
as they find innovative ways to deal with the language barrier between
humans and search engine robots. I think that this area contains a great
deal of potential in terms of introducing poetic and impressionistic
forms of language into mainstream communication.

Q. What advice do
you have for other aspiring writers?

Take risks with your
work. Dare yourself to do things that scare you. Make your work
approachable, but don't avoid controversy. Be okay with the idea of
people disagreeing with your opinions. Know that it's not the end of the
world when that happens. It's just part of the game. Finish college if
at all possible, but if you can't refuse to let yourself be stigmatized
by this fact. And be very, very, careful about sharing works in progress
with people who are likely to offer useless criticism.

4. Thinking that you
must have some incredibly strong sense of conviction about an issue in
order to write about it.

5. Thinking that it is
your duty to convince the reader to agree with your opinion.

6. Thinking that it's
not okay for your writing to reflect the general confusion and
ambivalence that characterize the rest of life.

Q. Who are some of
your role models and why?

I don't really model
myself after a specific person. There are several artists and literary
works that have strongly influenced my work, though. My favorite books
include: Fishboy, by Mark Richard, The Tale of Genji, by
Lady Murasaki, and The Story of the Stone, by Cao Xueqin. I
think that music has played a bigger role than visual art or literature
in shaping my attitude toward self-expression. I have a great
appreciation for musical innovators like Stephen Tunney, Daniel
Johnston, and The Residents.

Q. How do you
balance your professional and personal life?

The biggest challenge
is not having enough time for my work, and not having enough money to
realize most of my ideas. It's depressing when an idea has to die just
because I don't have time to tend to it. And I'm so busy it's not even
funny.

I try to deal with all
this by being adaptable and keeping things in perspective. When I start
feeling sorry for myself, I try to remember just how lucky I actually
am. When I count my blessings, my friends and family are at the top of
my list. Living in a free country is pretty high up there, too. Just
having very simple things, like a car and a place to live and
three meals a day means that I am more wealthy than ninety percent of
the world's population.

Q. What is the most
importance thing you hope to gain out of your career?

Understanding my own
mind. Making my thoughts more legible to others. Turning my mistakes and
my frustrations into knowledge about what works and doesn't work in
life.